Deciding to invest in a new and better water filter for your home is an easy decision. People are increasingly health-conscious these days, so they’re well aware of the high number of contaminants in standard tap water. They also want better than that for their families, so water filters are an absolute must.

High-performance refrigerator water filters are a top choice for a number of very good reasons. Not only do they provide easy, continuous access to filtered cold water, but they ensure you always have enough ice made from filtered water on hand as well.

However, knowing you want a new water filter for your refrigerator is one thing. Actually determining which of the many choices out there is right for you is another. Here we’ll take a closer look at what you need to know to make a good decision.

Type of Water Filter

Before you can upgrade your refrigerator water filter, you need to determine which kind of filter is compatible with your fridge. In order to do that, you’ll also need to determine where it’s located so you can have a good look at the size and other specs. The following locations are the most common possibilities.

Grille

Most refrigerators filter water via a long, slim cartridge installed somewhere toward the base of the fridge, typically close to the grille. A few models also feature a protective knob covering designed to help the device blend in with the rest of the grille. This can make it hard to see, so look carefully.

Once you locate it, the filter cartridge will probably slide right out with just a slight twist. Other models feature a push button that will eject the filter cartridge with just a little pressure.

Drop Down

Other filters live in a drop-down hatch inside the food compartment of your fridge. (Check the upper right-hand corner.)

Slide Out

Slide out fridge filters look a lot like grille filters, as they either slide right out of their compartment or come out when an eject button is pressed. However, they are located inside the food compartment just like drop-down filters are.

Canister

If you have this type of water filter, you’ll probably find it hanging down from the top toward the back of your fridge’s food compartment. Again, you’ll probably be able to remove it with just a slight turn, but others require a wrench to remove the plastic guard that may be protecting it.

Occasionally, a refrigerator won’t have a built-in water filter like any of the above options. Instead, they’ll rely on inline filters that are connected to the fridge via the water line. This type of filter is more difficult to install, but you’ll have different options to choose from as far as what you replace it with.

Filtering Capabilities

Each water filter comes attached to a filtering capability that’s measured in microns. The lower the micron rating attached to a given filter, the higher the filter’s ability to catch and remove tiny contaminants is going to be.

Although there are some exceptions, most refrigerator water filters rely on granular activated carbon to remove particles and contaminants from your water. Granular activated carbon comes attached to an average rating of 20 microns.

Most individual filter options also come attached to specs that will give you more information as to individual contaminants the item can remove and to what degree. Make sure you pay attention to these if you’re comparison shopping.

Brand Name and Merchant

Like most important purchases, it’s wise to think of your fridge water filter as an investment not only in your home, but your health. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for, so stick to solid items from brands well-known for manufacturing good, reliable products. Examples include General Electric, Maytag, and KitchenAid.

Just as important is where you buy the water filter you have in mind, especially if you’ll be buying yours online. Always buy from a trusted merchant known for great customer service, fantastic selection, flawless service integrity, and speedy delivery (like Water Filters Fast).

At the end of the day, choosing the right water filter for your refrigerator only seems like it’s going to be difficult. In actuality, it’s all about knowing what you’re looking for and understanding where to get a product you know you’ll be able to trust with your family’s water supply. Explore the possibilities today!